Export Live Animals to Turkey

Last Modified: May 07, 2025

Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for endorsement.

USDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate.

Summary of Requirements

All health certificates for U.S.-origin animals and animal genetics destined to Turkey (with the exceptions of bovine semen and day-old poultry) must be endorsed by APHIS no more than 2 days before export. Exporters are advised to schedule health certificate endorsement with their local APHIS endorsement office accordingly.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) of the Republic of Türkiye has shared the following list of entry ports in Türkiye that are permitted to inspect imported live animals and animal products. Please use this list of approved ports of entry when planning shipments of animals and germplasm. 

Effective May 15, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) of the Republic of Türkiye has temporarily suspended imports of bovine animals from the United States due to HPAI cases in mammals. 

Bovine Embryos

Bovine Semen

Effective April 29, 2025, an APHIS-endorsed, U.S.-origin bovine semen certificate is considered valid for 15 days from the date of issuance by the USDA-accredited veterinarian, as noted on the updated health certificate (April 2025).

 

Due to HPAI, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye has imposed trade restrictions on U.S.-origin poultry, day-old chicks, and hatching eggs originating from or transiting through the following States:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Note: Day-old poultry certificates must be issued by the USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS on page 6 within 10 days of departure. The USDA-accredited veterinarian must issue Part III. Supplementary health information addendum (page 7) no more than 2 days before export.

APHIS-Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the Aquaculture Animals for Farming, Relaying, or Put and Take Fisheries and/or Intended for Open Ornamental Facilities health certificate.

If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

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USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing an export health certificate for live animals.